TimAir flight

If we want to do a one way flight on TimAir (or one of the other small airlines) to Negril from MBJ, do I have to book that flight in advanced or can we do that once we land? And if we fly to Negril, do we then have to take a cab to CSA or do they have a shuttle to pick us up?

If you want to fly TimAir, chances are pretty good that you can snag a flight when you arrive at the FBO at MBJ... its just a quick shuttle ride from the arrival terminal. You may have to wait a half hour or so if you don't have a reservation, which would be a delay over taking the bus.

However, another service, International Airlink, has scheduled service between MBJ and Negril. They have a website where you can make your reservation. The trick here, of course, is being able to predict that your flight to MBJ will arrive on time, as well as the length of time it will take you to clear Jamaican Immigration and Customs. I'm not sure, but I'd be surprised if there is not a counter in the arrivals area of MBJ, so one could check to see if a walk-in slot is available.

The Negril Aerodrome is right across Norman Manley Blvd from Couples Negril, about 2 miles from SweptAway. There is no shuttle service that I'm aware of (Randymon?). You can get a cab, however, and I have not doubt that there would be one standing there looking for a fare, especially with Airlink's scheduled service.

You can wait until you land and either hope that TimAir has a (charter) flight available for you, or wait until they do, or you can try similar luck with International Airlink which has both scheduled and chartered flights.

However if you already know that you will take the flight you're probably better off booking it.

Once you arrive at Negril Aerodrome you can have the airline office call CSA for a free shuttle, for which you will need to wait (could be 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or longer), or you could grab a taxi immediately for the <5 minute ride. The taxi will probably charge you $10 U.S., perhaps less if you haggle, and there seem to always be 2 to 3 taxi operators waiting there.

we always book ahead with TimAir from MBJ to Negril but not sure if it's required. We send them our incoming flight #'s and they are right there to meet us(at the Couples lounge) and take us to the plane. As far as getting to CSA after arrival, CSA is called with our arrival and and a Taxi comes to pick us up and bring us. Remember to tip the drivers and baggage people since they do not work for Couples. Once at Couples, no worries mon!

We flew TimAir in Dec. of '09, at that time we had to book the flight in advance. We called and told them when we were getting in and they took care of the rest. When you land in Negril Curtis will call and get you a shuttle from the resort but there was a cab sitting there and we just took that instead of waiting. The driver gave us a free ride but since my wife packed the kitchen sink along with everything else he was tipped well. If you would like to see pictures of the flight email me at iahawks_rule@yahoo.com.

That was the case in the past, but now that the domestic terminal has moved near the check-in counters in the main building, it is a short (~100 yards??) walk rather than a shuttle ride. The rep. from whichever airline will escort you over.

Originally Posted by Chris

... I'm not sure, but I'd be surprised if there is not a counter in the arrivals area of MBJ....

There are booths, not really check-in counters, for both TimAir and International AirLink in the middle of the large arrival room where the Couples Arrival Lounge is. The Check-in counters are over at the domestic terminal.